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UMBC President Dr. Freeman Hrabowki said he sees the benefit of educating all Maryland students.

College and high school students, whose educational futures are tied to the success of Maryland's Dream Act, joined forces with faith-based, civil rights and labor organizations on the UMBC campus to lobby voters to help keep the law on the books.

One Montgomery County College student, who did not share her last name, said the Dream Act is key to her education.

"With access to higher education, I will never stop learning and contributing to this country more and more," Karnia said. "I decided to focus on education because of my parents. My mother has always told me that education is the path to my success, and I very much believe that, and that is why I am working so hard."

The Dream Act allows students who are undocumented immigrants to pay in-state college tuition rates if they finish high school and enroll in a community college. UMBC's president said voters should consider the long-term benefits.

"When these young people become educated, they'll get good jobs. They'll pay taxes. They'll help us all out. I believe that. I have seen that. Where would we be without educated people? We need to support all of our children in getting an education. It's the American way," Hrabowski said.

Baltimore County Delegate Pat McDonough issued a statement.

"It is increasingly improper for a public official, who derives his pay from the taxpayers of Maryland, to support an issue that will cost those same taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in the future," McDonough said.

Some labor and faith leaders said their support is solid.

"We are united by a belief that Maryland kids, who work hard, graduate from high school and are accepted to a Maryland college deserve the chance to fulfill their dream," SEIU union leader Merle Cuttitta said.

"We will continue to work hard to be sure that Maryland voters support the Dream Act in November," Bishop Denis Madden.

That's November 6. The Dream Act was passed by the General Assembly in 2011.

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